Protests nearly mar Osu chief's coronation, May 3, 2010. Pg 3

The installation of a banker, Nii Okwei Kinka Dowuona VI, as the substantive Chief of Osu yesterday was nearly marred by protests by  supporters of a claimant to the Osu Stool.

The installation followed a ruling by the Kumasi Fast Track High Court that maintained the deletion of the name of Nii Nortey Owuo III from the National Register of Chiefs in his capacity as the reigning Osu Mantse in the Osu Division of the Ga Traditional Area.

Supporters of Nii Owuo stormed the installation ground  to stop the process but the police prevented them from doing so by firing warning shots to disperse them.

The supporters carried placards, some of which read, "Police must not be partial', We don't need a Chief from Owuoman" and We don't want division in Osu".

Nii Dowuona swore the oath of allegiance and offic to the people of Osu and as the Chief of Osu, respectively.

In his acceptance speech, he said he was honoured and humbled by the installation and explained that Osu had gone through turmoil of Chieftaincy  issues for the past 30 years which had negatively affected the development of the community.

"I am happy because at long last a coronation has taken place which marks the need of chieftaincy  issues ", he said.

Nii Dowuona assured the people that his administration would have a listening ear and forge unity among the pople, in spite of the bitter past.

He said the installation opened a new page for the people of Osu and urged them to embrace peace in order to ensure the socio-economic transformation of the community.

He said the development of Osu had delayed, although it was a strategic business enclave in Accra and provided the land for the seat of government.

The new Osu Manste outlined some projects to be undertaken during his reign to ensure the development of Osu, including a community bank, the establishment of an educational fund and a fitting palace for the Osu Chief.

He commended the government for its interventions in the management of the economy and improving the lives of the people.

"We the people of Osu are asking for a fair share of the national cake, since it is an obvious fact that lands belonging to us , which are the only legacy of our survival, are taken over by the government", he stated.

 Nii Dowuona entreated the people of Osu to respect one another's views and opinions.

The Osu Mankralo, Nii Ako Nortei IV, said in the past Osu had the enviable reputation  of having a highly literate indigenous population, adding, however, the same could not be said of Osu today.